By Purushottam Nayak –
Sugadabadi (Odisha): Hundreds of faithful gathered together to remember women Servants of God from Odisha’s Kandhamal on March 8, 2026 at Sugadabadi Mass-Centre of Our Lady of Charity Parish, Raikia under Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar.
“Suchitra Daigal was very kind and compassionate to the poor and needy, ready to witness Jesus Christ at the cost of her life. She has become a model for all of us in our village,” says Romakant Pradhan, a village catechist of Murudikupda, the village of Suchitra Daigal of the 13 women Servants of God from Odisha’s Kandhamal.
“She was a brave lady to stand for the right and human equality. She always deserves our respect,” said Pradhan.
Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Leopolodo Girelli declared the permission of the Vatican to start the process of beatification process for 35 Catholic martyrs of Kandhamal. The October 18` nihil obstat’ from the Vatican Dicastery for Causes of Saints has been granted to initiate the process of beatification for the Servant of God Kantheswar Digal and companions, martyrs of Kandhamal from the 2007-2008 anti-Christian violence.
13 are women servants of out of 35 Servants of God.
“They are our models. They lived a life of faith, sacrifice, dedication and courage to witness God despite persecution even at the cost of their deaths,” said Purushottam Nayak before hundreds of people during his homily on International Women’s Day celebration.
“God created humanity with equal image and likeness to both man and woman. So, woman has also equal right, respect and dignity in the society. Our women servants of God followed the women in the Old Testament Esther, Debora, in New Testament Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Magdelena, who lived a life of humility, simplicity, obedience and courage, wisdom,” continued Nayak.
The 13 Women Servants of God are:
1.Suchitra Digal
2.Mayajini Digal
3.Jhunima Parichha
4.Bastina Montri
5.Priyadarshini Nayak
6.Dustina Parichha
7.Bhumika Digal
8.Badani Digal
9.Lalita Digal
10.Reboti Parichha
11.Jomadei Pradhan
12.Mery Pani
13.Kesori Digal
Geetanjali Pradhan feels proud of women servants of God from Kandhamal. The women servants are guides and inspiration for each of us living on earth.
“Woman in the modern world shines in every field, in Air force, Navy, military, in the politics, in religious life, education, etc.,” stated Pradhan.
The women present for the mass were greeted with a bouquet of flower.
